Vulcan 0 Posted September 29, 2002 hey all.. i need something clarified. say i don't have an anti-virus program,and when i download my emails, one email seems suspicious.(unknown sender) if this email contains a virus,and i didn't open it yet, is my pc infected ? if i do open it but don't run the attachment,is my pc infected ??? in other words,what is the step that triggers the infection of the virus ??? thanks !!!!!!! ;( Share this post Link to post
Four and Twenty 0 Posted September 29, 2002 well as far as i know it could either be veiwing the email or running the attachment that would cause an infection i don't think that jsut haveing the email in the inbox would infect you but i could be wrong i image that it also somewhat depends on vulnerabilities within your mail client itself. Share this post Link to post
clutch 1 Posted September 29, 2002 Depends on the virus, but if you have preview enabled and you come across an email with HTML enabled that has a hostile ActiveX control, then yes you could get infected. The safest bet is to view everything in txt mode (there's a reg key for this) and to pay attention to whatever attachments you get. Also, might as well disable the preview mode so that all you see is the subject. Share this post Link to post
Four and Twenty 0 Posted September 29, 2002 Quote: Depends on the virus, but if you have preview enabled and you come across an email with HTML enabled that has a hostile ActiveX control, then yes you could get infected. The safest bet is to view everything in txt mode (there's a reg key for this) and to pay attention to whatever attachments you get. Also, might as well disable the preview mode so that all you see is the subject. and get nav corp this will cure all your virus problems Share this post Link to post
Vulcan 0 Posted September 29, 2002 obviously using an anti virus is a good protection,i was just wondering what happens without one. preview is definitely off.so if i get an infected mail in my inbox,but i don't touch it..........what happens ? Share this post Link to post
CUViper 0 Posted September 29, 2002 If you never view it, and don't open its attachments, you should be just fine. I have never heard of any virus that could infect the system just by being downloaded - that would be a pretty serious flaw in the mail client! It's just like if you download an infected exe... It's not dangerous until you run it. Share this post Link to post
Vulcan 0 Posted September 29, 2002 thank you.....that is very very reassuring..!!! i do use norton anti virus that scans my mail.....but it is good to know that if it misses one mail,i can still count on my judgement before openning a suspicious mail and thus preventing infection. thanks. Share this post Link to post
Four and Twenty 0 Posted September 30, 2002 Quote: thank you.....that is very very reassuring..!!! i do use norton anti virus that scans my mail.....but it is good to know that if it misses one mail,i can still count on my judgement before openning a suspicious mail and thus preventing infection. thanks. you shouldn't have to worry but make sure and keep nav up to date Share this post Link to post
tylau 0 Posted October 3, 2002 For XML capable email, it is possible to be infect by just viewing an email without running any files attached. But, there is still a last line of defense, since you saw something coming in with unknown or suspicious header info(and possible subject and senders), you could just exit immediately the email program, goes offline promptly, reopen the eamil program, then manual delete the email by using a right click on the item, without open it, you can then connect to the net again to perform such offline operation, Outlook is able to delete it without even download it beforehand. Check also the leave mail on server after download is cleared in internet option in windows also. Share this post Link to post